dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I agree the D's have a lock on tax and spend.

But is that really worse than the lock Rs have on borrow and spend?

They both like to spend. Hopefully we a can all agree on that point.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

Taxes, no weather placed in by Republicans or Democrats go into the General Fund of the taxing authority. What I don't agree with is how the Supreme Court ruled on the interstate collection of "Sales Tax." The ruling was carried by the Republican judges on the Court. None of which read the Constitution dealing with Interstate Commerce, which plainly states, "No State can tax goods from one State to another. The U.S. actually fought a war over this very thing, called The Whisky Rebellion.

B

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

My 6 year old grandson has a better grasp on reality than you. The only answer that you understand is blah, blah, blah!
Just because I say you should pay the taxes you owe, does not mean I am for more taxation. Where in the world could you have come to that conclusion?! States that have sales/use taxes obligate their residents to pay the tax..whether on goods and services purchased in their state; or goods shipped into their state and 'USED' by the resident. OMG that means you! Your tax avoidance is not legal in this case. I don't care. I am actually in favor of cutting income and corporate taxes; and trying to get my local and state legislatures to reign in their spending and allocate our monies more productively and appropriately. And I am happy to say that your nuts will still be in the grasp of your state legislature. I don't see that changing for the better for a while.
Sit tight.. And stop berating others who are just stating facts.

torchman310 Loc: Santa Clarita, Ca.

Maybe your 6 year old grandson should show you the part of The Constitution which states: "No State can tax goods from one Stat to another". Maybe you should Google "The Whisky Rebellion". Since you are so hot on the idea that I pay these illegal taxes, I can only assume you must have something to hide re taxes.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I agree with most of your points. I, however, would prefer cutting sales and use taxes (regressive taxes that hit those who can least afford them) in favor of income and corporate taxes that tax those who can most afford them. Also history has shown that cuts in income and corporate taxes do not and never have trickled down. In fact these cuts have most frequently been use to boost profits to the non-working rich.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Thanks again. Your conclusion does not take into account the real effect of these types of tax cuts. The mantra that the rich get richer to negate the true effect is used to promote a position for those who have not been successful with their polices to improve the conditions for most.
Yes, the rich get richer. But the rest of us also benefit significantly. Regan did this and was successful. This is incontrovertible. Clinton was smart enough not to 'get in the way' and was benign regarding his economic policies. Expansion and growth continued.
While it is been only a short time now; the current tax cuts and other regulatory changes have brought a significant turnaround to the nature of business. In the past, reductions in the unemployment rate resulted from increases in jobs in the 'service sectors'. These jobs do not have the same 'trickle down effect' as other types. These jobs can and are relocated offshore, and are more temporary than other types of jobs. Today, we are seeing manufacturing jobs providing the changes that have a lasting effect. The trickle down is significant. If it is an existing plant being brought back to life, then the entire community benefits. Local people return to work and new people move into the area. They need to be supported. Property taxes, income taxes, sales taxes all increase and provide benefits to the community as well. Other businesses sprout up to support this growth. And, all of this is amplified when new building takes place for the manufacturers. These are 'permanent' types of jobs. Everyone benefits. This is not drinking the cool aid, but completely based on prior experience and fact. Yes, the rich get richer and so does everyone else. The key is how our politicians, local-state-national, choose to spread the wealth. Traditionally they have not made the right investments in the people who need it the most. Our inner city schools are in shambles. Something needs to change so that every child is given the opportunity to learn, improve, develop their own self esteem, and rise from their expected lot in life to become a part of the life and society that most of us aspire. They are not given this opportunity because it is in the interest of some not to do so. Right now there are more jobs available to fill than people looking for work. Our representatives have failed to change our welfare system to a workfare system. There are many who cannot work and need our support; yet there are many who like sitting around, do nothing, and collect. Again, it seems to be in the interest of some to maintain this system. So, it is true; the rich get richer-- but our entire economy (which includes people) does better which raises us all up. Or, can raise us all up if allowed!
Sales and Use taxes can be regressive. If they are on goods and services that are needed to live; then they are regressive. States can determine what types of items get taxed. Some states do not tax clothing under a certain amount. This could be extended to the necessary things in life. Gasoline taxes are needed to maintain the infrastructure (if spent properly). States can provide deductions for these types of taxes for people under a certain income to negate the regressive effect. Of course purchasing a $3500 camera and paying tax can not be considered regressive by any means. Answers are not simple. Solutions are not simple. The easy retorts to lower corporate and income taxes cannot be looked at solely on what can happen; but must include other changes that must take place to encourage success and make the effects long lasting and positive for all.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Torch, having read your comment I contacted my grandson and asked him what he thought of your reply. Being adept at using the internet, he came back to me and said, 'Poppy, I guess he didn't actually ready the Commerce Clause of the Constitution and rulings over the past 60-80 years. Tell him that when he is taxed on his camera stuff from out of state, he is not again taxed for it. And, if he had purchased it in his own state, he would have been taxed on it. The goods coming from out of state are not being discriminated against--meaning that the same goods are also taxable if sold in his own state. And let him know the the Benefit Relationship meaning has evolved since the Constitution was written. Clearly there was no internet and who could have thought that he could have a $3500 camera shipped next day from NY to California. Let him know that when the Constitution was written, there was no such state as California! By the way Poppy, does this guy live in Disney World? Or is he one of those Marvel guys--the Torch! Hope I was able to help. See you this weekend...love Dev.'

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

"But the rest of us also benefit significantly. Regan did this and was successful. This is incontrovertible." Except by thousands of economists, the FED, and actual history.

They were such a failure that Regan started to repeal them a couple years later.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Not so.
And, nothing is black and white..extremes never work. You need to find what is needed to make positive change; and then continue to make changes to suit the conditions; while always keeping in mind the ultimate goal. Let's see....at least it is a discussion.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

You are in entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts. The Regan tax cut myth has long been discounted. It just did not work.

shoelessjoe

I live in Delaware where there is no sales tax so this doesn't apply to me. Here in Susex county DE there is no access to a retail store that I can go to buy or get advice. I'm sure that there are others here that live in a rural community where there is little to no access to a brick and mortar retailer that stocks the equipment that serious photographers require. As a result, online is the most convenient and in many cases the only means to obtain gear.

torchman310 Loc: Santa Clarita, Ca.

I absolutely agree with this. I continually hear the Liberal mantra "The rich get richer". Yes, they do. They have theit money work For them. They also expand their businesses, hiring more people. There is no problem with me on this one. Living in Liberal California, we pay taxes on almost everything, even food if it is cooked and hot.